15 May 2016

Last month, AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani admitted that on-loan Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli^ will probably return to Anfield this summer, but with the season now over, it appears that Galliani may be open to keeping the Italian at Milan.

In April, Jurgen Klopp then confirmed that he'd 'make a decision' on Balotelli in the summer, and soon after, Galliani told reporters:

"Mario is desperate to stay here at Milan, But like I have said before, he does not merit a permanent deal at the moment".

When asked on Saturday about Balotelli's immediate future, Galliani hinted at a possible permanent deal for the Italian:

"We will talk about it with Liverpool, and...see what to do. During the summer there will be plenty of opportunity to discuss it with Liverpool".

The ideal scenario is another loan, or a permanent deal, but if he's sent packing, is Balotelli - hailed in February by Milan Chief Silvio Berlusconi for his 'exceptional ball control' - worthy of another chance at Anfield?

In my view, the answer is yes. If Balotelli stays at Anfield, Klopp should at least try and get something out of him, and given his famed man-management skills, perhaps he'll be the manager to finally decipher the Balotelli enigma...?

Stranger things have happened (!)

That said, even if Klopp wants to get rid of Balotelli, it may be out of Liverpool's hands. Balotelli has a contract until 2018, and if he refuses to go on loan, he can just sit out his fat contract for the next two years, and pocket £90k-a-week for doing nothing.^ Worth £45m according to his Agent.